Apparatus and method for detecting fluid-related conditions in a patient

Abstract

A system for detecting fluid-related conditions comprises an ultrasound scanning device adapted to generate ultrasound images at a depth of up to 15 cm from the epidermis, said device being configured such that it can be operated by a non-skilled user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for detecting fluid-related conditions, comprising an ultrasound scanning device adapted to generate ultrasound images at a depth of up to 15 cm from the epidermis, said device being configured such that it can be operated by a non-skilled user. 
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-related condition is a post-operatorial condition. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , comprising a base for an ultrasonic system, the base comprising connection elements adapted to mechanically and electrically connect a smart device to the base and to allow the base and the smart device to be moved as a single unit. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 4 , wherein the connection elements comprise a cavity adapted to accept and position the smart device. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 4 , wherein electrical power to activate the ultrasonic array is supplied from one of: a rechargeable battery and a DC to DC converter located in the base; a rechargeable battery and a switching power supply, comprised of a power stage and a control circuit, located in the base; and a battery in the smart device. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one IMU integral with the ultrasound scanning device or connected to the ultrasound scanning device via a plug-in connection. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , which is configured to issue instructions to the operator of the system that allow scans to be performed by persons not trained for ultrasound scanning, including the patient themselves. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the scanner comprises a housing that is ergonomically designed to be held by an operator and moved across the skin of a person, wherein the housing comprises, or has associated therewith, at least one minimum number of components of the system that must be located on the patient's body to obtain the ultrasound images, and wherein the minimum number of components in, or associated with the housing are: i) an ultrasound probe head; ii) electronic components for wired or wireless communication with remote terminals, and ii) a power source. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , which comprises presets that limit the depth at which ultrasound images are generated to up to 15 cm. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound scanning device comprises a transducer which is a 2-6 MHz convex type transducer with ultrasound depth up to 15 cm. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1  comprising software configured to execute at least one of the following: to produce ultrasound images; to analyze the data; to decide which images are of sufficient quality to be displayed on the display screen; to discard low-quality images; to instruct the operator to hold the housing of the scanner in a predetermined manner; to compute the location and attitude of the scanner and, if desired, the roll and pitch yaw; to determine if the scanner is being held such that enough pressure is being exerted on the skin to produce an image of sufficient quality; and to effectively provide instructions how to move the scanner correctly in order to obtain satisfactory images. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein instructions to the operator that are generated by the software or by a trained health care professional located at a remote terminal and are provided visually on the display screen or audibly from a speaker. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the functional settings of the device, selected from one or more of gain compensation, dynamic range, focal length, and depth, are standardized, thereby preventing the need for the user to make selections. 
     
     
         22 . A method for allowing an operator not trained for ultrasound scanning, be it the patient themself or a second person, to obtain and process ultrasound images of a potential POFR or TFRC condition of a human body, comprising:
 a. providing a system comprising a scanner adapted to generate ultrasound images at a depth of up to 15 cm from the epidermis; wherein the scanner is the component of the system that is moved by an operator over the surface of a patient's body to obtain the ultrasound images, the system being configured to issue instructions to the operator of the system, that allows scans to be performed;   b. following the instructions issued by the system.   
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein images generated by the device of  claim 1  are relayed to a healthcare professional for evaluation. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein an alert is generated if an automated analysis of an image obtained by the device of  claim 1  determines that it contains characteristics that may be attributable to a post-operatorial fluid-related condition. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method for performing emergency focused assessment with sonography in trauma, comprising scanning a patient with a system according to  claim 1 , to determine the presence of fluid in the examined area. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the examined area is around the heart or around abdominal organs. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the system is adapted to generate alerts when an automatic image-processing component detects a dark area that may be indicative of a POFR or TFRC condition. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled)